The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-23
THE LOST CAUSE.
A Mastery Vindication of 1t by
Judge J. A. P. Campbell.
IN Az ADDRESS DELIVERED AT CANTON,
MAY 1, 1874, ON THE OCCASION OF
THE DECORATION OF THE GRAVES OF
CoNFEDERATE SOLDIERS.


! CoSFEDERATE SOLDIERS.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
| We have assembled to commemorate
| the day set apart among US as 8 memo
rial of the Confederate struggle for in
dependence. The observance of memo
rials of great epochs is proper and sane
toned by custom. People usually cele
brate their successes we, our gran,
effort for freedom and right, which
deserved, but did not achieve success
There is danger, that with the lapse o
time and change of circumstances amiC
the cares of life, the survivors of tn,
Confederate cause may forget, or neg
lect the duty they owe to, those VIII,
fell victims to the contest, and to them
selves. 1t is right to keep alive, by re
peated consideration, the spirit of pa
triotism which inspired our Southern
movement, and led to the sacrifice o
the brave soldiers of our cause, who's
graves we will this day decorate will
| flowers in token of affectionate remem
brance of their sacrifice, and the caus,
for which they died. This is not incon
sistent with our present relations I,
| government, but shows only a Just ap
probation of that spirit of patriotism
which animated our people, and vii
ever inspire them under any govern
ment. Fond recollection of the deat
implies no want of affection for the
living. Fidelity to the Confederat,
government by its citizens in trial anC
danger, is an earnest of the same tt
another. He, who being of it, was no
loyal to the Confederate cause, may
well be doubted in his profession o.
| fidelity to another.
Sad indeed is our situation, and darE
and gloomy the prospect before us as
people. There is everything in oul
present surroundings to call for the dis
play in the peaceful walks of civil life
of the virtues which found exemplifica
ton, for other objects, during the late
war. Our best commemoration of the
heroes of the Confederate struggle will
| be an imitation of their example oi
self-denial, patient endurance of evils
courage in contending with adverse cir
cumstances, industry and economy
These virtues, which accomplished Sc
much in war, will bring their reward in
| time of peace. During the war it was
not alone on the march, in camp, or on
| the field of strife that patriotism
| was illustrated or heroism displayed
FOrtitude, courage, heroism and patriot
| ism were exemplified outside the
lines of martial hosts. In the enthu
siasm Of patriotic devotion to oul
cause, our people We'd in common
| efforts for its welfare. Hands unused
to toll were busilY employed in it
behalf. Luxuries were dispensed witt
| before necessity required it-even ne
cessaries were restricted. 1t was esteemed
badge of honorable distinction to b,
able to do most to render one independ
ent of the adverse circumstances upor
us, and advance the general welfare
Beautiful female forms were seen arrayec
in the tidy workmanship of their owr
tender hands, and never appeared more
lovely. We were knit together by {
sense of common interests and common
danger. We were called on at home a.
well as on the march, in camp, or OF
fields of blood to exhibit the highes
virtues of the soul and while the more
striking and captivating exhibition
were found on the battle field in tht
perilous hour
"For Fame is there to see who bleeds,
And Honors eye on daring deeds'-
we should, in doing homage to these
cultivate holy affection for those les
striking virtues, which found exhibition
at home.
| ''The wife who girds her husbands sword,
| Mid little ones who weep or wonder,
| And brayely speaks the cheering word
1 hat nh hash haor ha.r 4 Daar
| Doomed nightly, in her dreams, to hear.
| The bolts OF death around him rattle,
| Hath shed sacred blood e'er
| Was poured upon the field OF battle.
| The mother, who conceals her grief,
| While 10 her breast her she presses,
Then breathes few brave words and brief,
| kissing the patriot brow she blesses;
| With one but her secret God
| To know the pain that weighs upon her,
Sheds holy blood as e'er the sod
| Received on Freedoms field of honorl
1t is well for us to recur to the prin
ciple underlying the Confederate move
ment. Never was cause apparently
less understood, or more maligned. Th'
history of the world furnishes many in
stances of revolutions, rebellions anC
wars for insufficient causes. The main
tenance of the claims of an individua
or family to supreme authority, trivia
| complaints, trifing affronts, desire 70
aggrandizement, pride and ambition
have been prolific causes of popular up
rising or national contests. But non
of these actuated our movement.
sprang from a spirit of independence
which is hereditary and part of ou
being; a belief in the right, and sub
lime determination to maintain it. l
successful it would have been pro
nounced right. Failure don't make /
torong.
The impelling cause was far create
and more justifable than led to th
American Revolution, and the differen
result can't change the dictates of jus
tice, and the decision of right reason
The spirit which has ever animated
and will ever inspire the resisters o
oppression, impelled the Southern pee
pie. To judge fairly and deter,nin
Justly, their action must be estimates
from their standpoint. This is the rul
applied to individuals, and is applicaDl
to masses. We must transport ourselve
to their situation, circumstances an
surroundings, see as they saw, believ
as they believed, feel as they felt, an
consider the justice and reasonablenes
of their apprehensions, from what the
saw and felt. Doing this, it is discovere
that the movement sprang from th
principle of self-preservation-t mair
spring of human conduct, innate in th
soul. For many years bitter conte'
of words had been waged between Mort
: and South, originating in conscienc
and sentiment. gathering force as
progressed, and quickened into fervi
|. zeal by union with party efforts, until
eliminated in party triumph in tI
election of President ON platform {
hostility to an overshadowing intere
, of Southern society. Then it was tn.
: apprehension of insecurity was arouse'
I. and the momentous question aros.
: what should be done to secure safet
! and obtain protection to great interest
! ramifying society, and deemed to
, seriously impelled. The determinatic
was to seek safety by Withdrawing fro
a Union, which it was thought w
!. about to be made on engine for the
! struction of our rights. There WI
I nothing unnatural or Unprecedented
: this: there was no hostility to the pe
: ple of the North; there was no dissati
faction with the Constitution, whis
] had been left to US, as to them; the
] was no objection to the union of Il
Constitution; war was not desired n
!, sought by US, but was deprecated, al
tried by every peaceful means to
+ averted. War resulted; long a fer
! and terrible war, waged by the u. s. f
= subjugation, and by the C. s. for exi.
: Ience. For long time the conte
! seemed doubtful, but finally victo
was declared for the q. s., and the Co
2 federate flag was furled forever, and
= its folds were enclosed the hopes
millions who had proudly gazed MP
Its stars and bars, and fondly hoped th
lit would wave forever, an emblem
the right OF self-government-the bxnn